The Upper Room Daily Devotional | 15 January 2022 | Saturday Message
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More than Words
Mary Hunt Webb (New Mexico, USA)
TODAY’S READING
John 20:24-29
KEY VERSE: Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. – 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional | 15 January 2022 Message
As our instructor talked on and on, I saw a classmate squirm in his seat. During a break, he explained, “Sitting and listening is so difficult for me. I prefer doing, touching, seeing, smelling, and even tasting. I’m an experiential learner.”
While reading today’s scripture passage, I recalled that conversation and thought that Thomas must have been an experiential learner. Although traditionally he has been called “Doubting Thomas,” I think maybe Thomas processed information best by receiving it through a combination of senses. Perhaps the report from the other disciples didn’t involve enough of his senses for him to process that information easily. Only by hearing, seeing, and touching could Thomas accept Jesus’ resurrection.
That same hesitance to accept the gospel sometimes hinders us today. We may regard sermons as boring because words alone exclude the other senses. For some, Communion fills that void through touch and taste. Others enjoy children’s sermons that often involve multiple senses.
When we are understanding of those who receive the gospel in different ways, we fulfill the charge in today’s quoted scripture. We may need their understanding of our differences too.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Precious Lord, help us to be understanding of the unique ways each person receives your good news. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Using all my senses can open me to God’s presence.
PRAYER FOCUS
Experiential learners
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More From Mary Hunt Webb
The Upper Room | 15th January 2022. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together. Read More
